Food Plants International Executive Director update – Anthea Maynard 2024 

Executive Summary: 

Discover Food Plants International’s (FPI) 2024 milestones in promoting local food plants, empowering communities, and strengthening global partnerships. Learn about leadership transitions, volunteer efforts, major collaborations, and the impact of FPI’s mission to help communities grow the right plants in the right places for sustainable food security.

Throughout 2024, Food Plants International (FPI) has made significant strides in fulfilling its mission of promoting local food plants and empowering communities through partnerships, volunteer efforts, and strategic initiatives. Looking back over 2024, our focus has been on transitioning the organisation with new governance and leadership, expanding our missional models, and strengthening local, national, and international collaborations. We have also emphasised the development of local food plant champions and made significant advancements in promoting our database and work in national and global forums. We remain committed to partnering in God’s mission to help the hungry feed themselves by growing the right plants in the right places using agroecological practices. 

This article highlights the key activities, accomplishments, and financial health of FPI over the past year. 

1. FPI Mission Fulfilment 

Local Food Plant Champions & Advocates: 

FPI continued to develop and support “Local Food Plant Champions” across various regions, particularly in Zimbabwe. These champions have played a critical role in promoting local food plants within their communities through workshops and training sessions. In 2024, we printed and distributed 150 A3 FPI posters to schools, clinics, shops, churches, and FPI workshop participants to further support these efforts. Notably, Melody Machere, a local food plant champion in Zimbabwe, successfully organised the translation of the FPI book Food Plants in Zimbabwe into Shona and facilitated multiple workshops and coached urban and rural farmers. We have a Local Food Plant Advocate in Fiji who is seeking strategic partnerships for FPI. 

Global Edible Plants Information Centre (GEPIC) at 109 Wilson St Burnie, Tasmania: 

The closure of GEPIC has been a major focus this year as we prepare to ship the library’s contents to Papua New Guinea. Thanks to the dedicated efforts of volunteers from Library Aid International, FPI, and family members, Bruce and Deb French’s tropical and theological library is set to return to its origins at the University of Natural Resources and Environment. This significant relocation will ensure that Bruce’s extensive collection of edible plants—showcasing nutritious and well-adapted food sources across the Asia-Pacific region and beyond—remains preserved and accessible. We extend special thanks to Bruce and Deb for their generosity in donating these resources. We are also grateful to Bruce and Deb’s family, the FPI board and generous donors for their invaluable support in this process. 

Library Aid International: 

FPI partnered with Library Aid International to coordinate the logistics of transporting educational resources from Burnie, Tasmania to Papua New Guinea. This partnership involved extensive planning and volunteer coordination, resulting in a successful packing and shipping process. A special thanks to DeBruyn’s Transport.

World Public Health Nutrition Congress 2024: 

FPI’s involvement in the World Public Health Nutrition Congress 2024 is a significant milestone. Foluke, one of our key board members, presented at this event, and fundraising efforts have been successful, with donations from various local churches. This opportunity will allow FPI to showcase its grassroots work on a global stage and foster new international partnerships. 

ICRISAT Partnership: 

FPI has been collaborating with the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) to import drought-tolerant seeds into Zimbabwe. This partnership is expected to significantly impact food security in the Buhera and Donga communities by introducing drought-resilient traditional crops. The partnership has been formalised through an official MOU. This partnership is thanks to Dr Ibrahim Ahmed and Dr Ijantiku Ignatius Angarawai. 

ECHO Collaboration: 

A notable collaboration this year has been with ECHO to update and expand our plant fact sheets, which will be integrated into ECHO’s seed-saving and seed-banking efforts worldwide. This collaboration aligns with FPI’s mission to share knowledge and resources globally. 

HADA Partnership: 

The key focus areas in our partnership with HADA include promoting traditional food plants, empowering local food plant champions, developing partnerships, and disseminating resources (books, posters, and our database).  We have received increased donations through the tax-deductible partnership with HADA.  The countries involved are India, Zimbabwe, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, East Timor, and Vietnam. 

Food Plants Solutions Reconnection: 

FPI has reconnected with Food Plants Solutions (FPS) with the hope to positively influence, complement, and collaborate as needed. This partnership is anticipated to enhance the effectiveness and reach of both organisations. We are grateful that FPS has updated their publication templates and appropriately acknowledged Bruce French as the main author in their books (11 page introduction, photographs and plant fact sheets).  We celebrate their efforts in promoting local food plants around the world.

3. Volunteer Engagement and Community Outreach 

Crawford Fund Conference:  

In September 2023, Bruce, Deb, and Anthea attended the Crawford Fund Conference, themed “Global Food Security in a Riskier World: Diversification for Resilient Food and Nutrition Systems.” Their presence at this event was strategically significant, following the awarding of the Tasmanian Crawford Fund Medal to Bruce French AO by the Governor, Her Excellency the Honourable Barbara Baker AC, in March 2023. This honour recognised Bruce’s outstanding contribution to addressing food supply and nutritional challenges in developing countries through Food Plants International. 

Volunteer Recognition: 

FPI hosted a thank-you morning tea and provided gifts to recognise the invaluable contributions of its volunteers, including Colleen, Davina, Joy, Penny, Lennie, Annie, Bruce, Deb, and Foluke. These volunteers have been instrumental in the success of various initiatives, including keeping GEPIC open, caring for the library, and community engagement activities. 

In November 2023, FPI held a Celebration Dinner at 109 Wilson St Burnie to express gratitude to long-term supporters and volunteers and to honour Bruce and Deb French as they retired from the FPI board. The event was a fitting tribute to their years of dedicated service, the impact of their work, and their desire to see the information accessible to those who need it most. 

Local Community Engagement 

HealthFest Participation: FPI’s participation in the UTAS HealthFest, led by Davina Smith, successfully engaged the local community, promoting awareness of local food plants and FPI’s work within Tasmania. 

Tasmanian Edible Plants Presentation: Emma facilitated a presentation by Rees Campbell on the edible plants of Tasmania and was nominated as a Tas “Local Food Plant Champion”. 

The Community Gardens Australia, Tasmania conference featured Bruce presenting on local food plants and demonstrating how to search the FPI database. The event was also attended by Deb, Anthea, and Cath. The gathering highlighted Cath’s valuable insights and connections that can inform practical advancements for FPI. 

4. Financial Health and Fundraising 

Grants and Donations: 

FPI’s financial position remains strong, with significant contributions from private donors and local churches. In 2024, we embarked on a crucial fundraising drive to facilitate the relocation of the FPI library to Papua New Guinea. The full costs have been raised and we are grateful for the many generous small donors from across Australia, as well as the HADA board. 

5. Database and Online Presence 

Database Development: 

We are grateful for Bruce French’s ongoing input and maintenance of the FPI database. We are exploring ways to enhance its usability and accessibility, which are crucial for community empowerment.  It is so simple for people to make their own food plant fact sheets from the database. Click here to find out how.

Website: 

The Friends of Food Plants WordPress website has been updated to improve content accessibility, particularly the interactive world map, thanks to Dr Mark Boersma. 

6. Future Directions 

Looking ahead, Food Plants International (FPI) will continue to focus on the core areas outlined in our constitution while maintaining our commitment to our overarching mission.  

FPI will continue to focus on its core mission areas while maintaining its commitment to global food security. Our core mission areas includes: 

1. Relief of Hunger and Malnourishment: Addressing hunger and malnutrition, especially in tropical regions. 

2. Sustainable Small-Scale Food Gardens: Supporting local food gardens for community nutrition and resilience. 

3. Promotion of Local Food Plants: Enhancing awareness of local food plants as primary nutrition sources. 

4. Training and Capacity Building: Equipping individuals and organisations with skills for sustainable food systems. 

5. Information and Resources: Creating and maintaining comprehensive databases on food plants and agricultural development. 

Our future direction includes: 

• Addressing: Relief of hunger and malnourishment 

• Supporting: Sustainable small-scale food gardens 

• Enhancing: Promotion of local food plants

• Equipping: Training and capacity building 

• Creating: Information and resources 

Values FPI’s core values promote a holistic approach to food security and environmental management. We acknowledge God as the Creator and Sustainer, maintain biodiversity, and empower communities with accessible information. Our commitment to sustainability is reflected in supporting localised production with minimal chemicals and fertilisers. We advocate for an agro-ecological approach and uphold a non-confrontational attitude, fostering peace and respect.

These priorities guide our work, reflecting our core values and commitment to creating sustainable solutions for global food security. 

Conclusion: 

2024 has been a year of growth, collaboration, and strategic advancement for FPI. The organisation has strengthened its global partnerships, developed innovative strategies for promoting local food plants, and ensured the continued success of its mission through financial and operational management. As we move forward, FPI remains committed to empowering communities through the promotion of local food plants and fostering sustainable, resilient food systems worldwide.